University Led Master of Social Work Award Program

The University Led Master of Social Work Award Program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through its Policy Planning and Access bureau as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program. This initiative is funded through federal support provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is designed to strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural communities across Michigan. The program reflects a strategic effort to address workforce shortages, improve access to behavioral health services, and build sustainable healthcare delivery systems in underserved regions. The primary purpose of this grant is to increase the number of qualified mental health professionals serving rural populations by partnering with universities that offer accredited Master of Social Work programs. Through this partnership, universities are expected to design and implement award programs that provide financial support to students in exchange for a five year service commitment in rural communities after graduation. The program aims to expand the pipeline of trained professionals while also ensuring long term retention in areas with the greatest need. Funding under this opportunity totals seven million dollars, with individual awards ranging from five hundred thousand dollars to three million five hundred thousand dollars. Applicants are required to submit proposals outlining how funds will be used to develop or expand student award programs, recruit and support students, and build connections with rural healthcare employers. Allowable uses include program development, recruitment strategies, student support services, and monitoring systems to track outcomes and service commitments. Certain costs such as construction, direct cash incentives unrelated to program participation, and lobbying activities are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility is primarily limited to universities with accredited Master of Social Work programs, although broader eligibility language includes nonprofits, public entities, and tribal organizations in alignment with federal requirements. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer award programs, support students through completion, and track compliance with the five year service commitment. They must also ensure that students participating in other related funding programs are excluded from receiving duplicate support under this initiative. The application process requires submission through the EGrAMS system. Applicants must first register and submit a project director request by July 30, 2026, followed by the full application submission deadline of August 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. A pre application conference is scheduled for July 15, 2026 to provide technical guidance. Applications must include a detailed narrative, workplan, budget, and supporting documentation demonstrating program design, implementation strategy, and evaluation metrics. Applications are evaluated through a competitive scoring process with a maximum of one hundred points. Key evaluation criteria include program implementation, experience and past performance, staff qualifications, workplan quality, and budget justification. Only applications scoring at least eighty points will be considered for funding. Successful applicants must also comply with reporting requirements, performance tracking, and participation in ongoing monitoring activities throughout the grant period. The award period is expected to run from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. During this time, grantees are responsible for implementing their programs, tracking student progress, and ensuring compliance with federal requirements related to workforce development and service commitments. This funding opportunity represents a targeted investment in strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure through workforce expansion and long term retention strategies.

Ensure application completeness and alignment with scoring criteria particularly program implementation and measurable outcomes. Clearly demonstrate capacity to track five year commitments and provide detailed budget justification.